Living out of a suitcase seems to be my way of life. I feel like a vagabond at times moving from place to place. I have been so stretched this time around and my mind has traveled all over the place. After a well needed rest in Nairobi, I head off to Isebania, Kenya right near the border of Tanzania to spend a little over a month with Madam Bonny Anganya. Madam Bonny was first introduced to me while on the World Race under Adventures in Missions. My team traveled to Isebania after a bit of a downfall in Mwanza Tanzania. This audacious woman quickly took me under her wing declaring that I was a younger version of herself. Mum Bonny comes from a family of bold women. Her grandmother ran to the home of missionaries when young in order to refuse undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM). It is this woman who gave Mum the courage to fight strongly against FGM in her area. Each December she holds a camp for young girls to teach them the complications of this dangerous circumcision. She boldly stands against the culture of the people and has helped save the lives of many young women because of this confidence. I was ecstatic to be seeing her once again. Traveling through the night my mind was lost and I fought hard to keep my eyes awake. We arrived on the border around four in the morning. Mum and two of her girls walked on foot to pick me. Thankfully enough as I exited the bus there was a gentleman there with a car who remembered me. He offered to give us a lift to Mum’s home. I put my large hot pink suitcase and navy blue google backpack into the trunk and took a seat with the three others in the back. A woman drove in the front rushing the man along so we could go. Mum had them drop us on the street instead of taking us all the way to her home. I got out seeing my sisters had already grabbed my suitcase. Walking down the rocky path Mum grabbed my hand talking about how happy she was to have her daughter home.

No sooner did we get in her compound I rushed to sleep. It wasn’t until several hours later when I wanted to show a photo to my sister that I realized my camera wasn’t there. Wait. My navy blue google backpack was missing. “Please tell me its in your closet,” I begged Janet. I wasn’t there. Tears started to stroll down my cheeks. I wanted to throw myself on the floor to kick and scream like a two year old in training. I tried best to remain calm but my camera, photos dating back to 2010, 6 brand new 16gb memory cards, international converter and adapter, rechargeable batteries and charger, two life journals, jar of Jiffy smooth peanut butter, first aid kit, sweet tea mix, prescription medication. My life flashed before my eyes. I was hyperventilating. I need my things back. Oh no. Wait. “That person who was gave us a ride, he was from your church right? Can you just give him a call.” “No. I don’t know who he was. He just offered to give us a lift. He said he knew you.” “I thought he only knew me because he remembered me from your church.” “No. We had never met him before that day.” I was seriously in a panic by this time. We had not only ridden in the car with strangers but we didn’t even ask their names and there my bag is in the trunk. Mum Bonny came home to see me so distraught. She came and sat with me on the bed, “It’s okay my dota. It will be here by Tuesday. Just have faith.” Faith. How could I have faith in a time like this. I was pissed. Here I am on a mission trip, my bag with my most treasured items are taken and you’re telling me to have faith? You have lost your mind. I cried in anger. I updated my facebook status and I cried again. But amidst those tears I began to believe Mum Bonny. I started to believe that I would get my bag back.

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Casondra

It was on the World Race with Adventures in Missions that Casondra's heart broke for the girls of Kenya. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Intercultural Studies to help her more effectively reach the people of Kenya.